Our History

The Valartis Group as it exists today was formed at the end of 2005 from the merger between the OZ Group and the operating MC Trustco companies of MCG Holding AG. Since 2007, it has traded under the name “Valartis” – a combination of the words valere and artis, meaning something along the lines of “The art of creating value”.

The OZ Group, which was renamed OZ Holding AG in 1994, originated from OZ Zürich Optionen und Futures Aktiengesellschaft, founded in 1988 and floated on the stock exchange in 1991. Its subsidiary OZ Bankers AG had held a Swiss banking licence since 1997 and was heavily involved in investment banking as a derivative bank.

MC Trusco, MCT for short, was founded in 1996 as a joint venture between Gustav Stenbolt and MC Securities, a London-based investment bank established in 1994. Its services in the area of institutional asset management focused on Eastern Europe and the CIS countries.

The first step in the expansion of Valartis Group AG’s private banking and asset management activities, was the acquisition in September 2008 of Valartis Bank (Austria) AG, formerly Anglo Irish Bank (Austria) AG, which is headquartered in Vienna and has a rich history dating back to 1890.

This was followed in September 2009 by the acquisition of Valartis Bank (Liechtenstein) AG, which was founded as Hypo Investment Bank (Liechtenstein) AG in 1998 and has a full Liechtenstein banking licence.

At the same time, the private banking activities of Valartis Bank AG in Zurich and Geneva were expanded and additional private banking teams in Liechtenstein and Vienna were added. Recently, this expansion has also led to Asia, with a newly opened office in Singapore.

Today, the Valartis Group employs more than 300 staff in Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Russia and Singapore, and is continuing its expansion within private banking.

Milestones

2011

Sale of Valartis Bonus Card AG and
continued focusing on “Private Banking Plus”

2010

Establishment of a presence in Singapore/Asia

Acquisition of 100% of Jelmoli Bonus Card AG, which is renamed Valartis Bonus Card AG

2009

Acquisition of Hypo Investment Bank (Liechtenstein) AG, which is renamed Valartis Bank (Liechtenstein) AG

2008

Strategic refocusing on “Private Banking Plus”

Acquisition of Anglo Irish Bank (Austria) AG, which is renamed Valartis Bank (Austria) AG

2007

Establishment of Valartis Europe AG, Vienna (M&A advisory services are extended to Europe)

The Group’s brand identity is standardised under “Valartis”

2006

OZ Bankers AG becomes a member of VISA Europe

A 27.5% stake in Jelmoli Bonus Card AG is taken

2005

Merger of OZ Group and MCT Companies (MCG Holding acquires 50% of the share capital and voting rights of OZ Holding AG)

2003

Launch of Eastern Property Holdings Ltd. (EPH)

1998

Establishment of Hypo Investment Bank (Liechtenstein) AG

Management of MC Russian Market Fund is taken over

1997

Banking license for OZ Bankers AG

1996

Establishment of MC Trustco, an asset manager focusing on Russia and Eastern Europe (now: Valartis Asset Management)

Management of ENR Russia Invest SA is taken over

1995

Bankhaus Rosenfeld is acquired by Anglo Irish Bank and renamed Anglo Irish Bank (Austria) AG

1994

Establishment of OZ Holding (now: Valartis Group AG)

1993

OZ shares are listed on the stock exchanges of Zurich and Basel

1988

Establishment of OZ Zürich Optionen und Futures AG

1890

Establishment of Bankhaus Rosenfeld in Vienna (now: Valartis Bank Austria)